Alaska: A United States History Rundown
Timeline:
- 1867: United States purchases Alaska from Russia for $ 7.2 million.
- 1898: Alaska becomes a military district.
- 1912: Alaska becomes a territory.
- 1959: Alaska becomes the 49th state.
- 1968: Discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay.
- 1971: Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Act authorized.
- 1977: Trans-Alaska Pipeline System completed.
Important Legislation:
- Alaska Statehood Act (1959): Granted Alaska statehood.
- Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Act (1971): Authorized the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.
- Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (1971): Settled land claims of Alaska Natives and created 12 regional Native corporations.
- Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (1976): Established the framework for managing fisheries in federal waters.
Important Court Cases:
- United States v. Alaska (1979): Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could impose hunting regulations on Native Alaskans on lands traditionally used for hunting.
- Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council (1984): Supreme Court ruled that courts must defer to agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutory language.
Major Industry:
- Oil and gas: Alaska is the largest oil producer in the United States. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System carries oil from Prudhoe Bay to the port of Valdez.
Impact on the United States:
- Expansion of territory: Alaska’s vast size made the United States the second largest country in the world.
- Strategic importance: Alaska’s location at the northernmost point of the country makes it strategically important for military purposes.
- Economic boost: Oil and gas production in Alaska has provided a significant boost to the state’s economy and to the nation as a whole.
- Cultural diversity: Alaska’s large Native American population and unique Arctic culture add to the cultural diversity of the United States.